Aftermarket

Betts Combines Spray Suppression, Fender Business into BettsHD

LAS VEGAS -- Betts Company announced BettsHD as the company's new operating division for spray suppression and fender products.

BettsHD combines the resources of Betts and Life-Time Fenders, which it acquired in 2007, into one source for safety-related products focused on heavy-duty tractor-trailer applications, the company announced during Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week 2013 Tuesday.

Heavy duty tractor-trailer components previously branded or offered distinctly by Betts and Life-Time Fenders will be branded as BettsHD.

Under the leadership of Bill Betts, vice president, Betts Company, the newly formed business unit will offer a broad line of products, including continuously enhanced bundles for the heavy-duty aftermarket.

"The way we are positioning it is in four quadrants," Bill Betts explained: "fender products (metal fenders), quarter fenders, poly fenders, and muflap hangers. Our customers have the oporutnity to play in any one of those quadrants or support the whole bundle, whatever they need for their customers."

Products will be manufactured and shipped from two locations -- in Fresno, Calif., and in the Youngstown, Ohio, area, allowing better service for both OEs and distributor customers. It also means extended customer support hours, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. eastern time.

BettsHD has been a leader in spray-suppression products for nearly 60 years and holds numerous patents, including the first patent granted on spray suppression mud flap hangers in 1954. Life-Time Fenders substantially increased Betts solution capabilities with its well line of quarter, single axle and tandem fenders for on- and off- highway applications.

The formation of BettsHD is part of a larger branding initiative. Formerly known as Betts Spring Company, the company was founded in 1868 by William Michael Betts. In addition to BettsHD, the company now has two additional operating divisions; Betts Truck Parts and Service (www.BettsTruckParts) and Betts Spring Manufacturing (www.BettsSpring.com).